visiting the Maddens

The first excursion of our summer was a visit to my friend and college roommate, Megan.  It is so much fun to catch up with friends who've known you for a long time and connect like you see them all of the time.  Megan and I were instant friends in college - farm kids, education majors, goal oriented (you know, like goals for graduating from college.  not all of our roommates had the same work ethic.) and we enjoyed socializing.  :)  Megan's husband, James, and Brent were fast friends when the boys entered the picture way back in college.

Their son, Cade, is a year and a half older than Lucas.  Ellie is in the middle and ironically, Maci and Hannah were born on the same day.  Maci was born just two hours after Hannah. 

Maci and Hannah at five weeks old.

Maci and Hannah at 17 months. 

P.S. This was not an easy picture to take!

Lucas and Cade are very similar. 

- Sweet, caring boys

- First born with baby sister(s)

- Love for the farm

- Blondies

- Happy smiles and adorable dimples

 They were shy for about 90 seconds and then they hit the ground running. 

And driving. 

It was fun for Megan and I to catch up and great to see the kids interact and play. 

Father's Day

A couple of girlfriends and I went to a pottery store last month and made some special gifts for our husbands for Father's Day. I had the idea for Brent's gift, but needed Kim's artistic talent. 

Personalized grilling platter.

 I saw this cute idea on Pinterest so I made my own version for us to use. 

I just need to remember to use it for the next ten years or so!

It was a fun weekend.  Brent golfed with Brad, Brian and his dad.  We spent the evening with family and Lucas and Hannah played with cousin Cameron, too.  Hannah took a special liking to Tim. 

And the best toy was the tub that all the toys had been stored in. 

"Up high" with Uncle Brian.

Smooshed cheeks and smiles. 

~rockin' it old school~

In some recent cleaning, Brent's high school yearbooks were uncovered.  Boy, did I have fun browsing the pages!  I also saw pictures of his high school friends and identified lots of locals whom I've come to know in recent years.
[For those of you reading this that just realized I may have seen some sweet photos of you from the 90s - no fear, I won't be purposefully posting your photos, or identifying you. {you owe me} ]

Freshman year.

 

Sophomore year.

 

Junior year. 

Isn't he handsome?

Senior year.

Homecoming King, Brent, and Queen, Jamie.

Football.

#64

Wrestling.

Brent could tell the whole story of this match (and the one above it). 

What I really love in this picture is the people in the stands - look at them cheer!

Track & Field. 

Chorus.

Brent was active in musicals and Cabaret, too.

He still has a beautiful musical gift!

Receiving the Bernie Saggau Award.

This award goes to an outstanding citizen athlete.

 

Hopefully Brent doesn't get embarrased that I posted these photos... It's so easy for me to share stories and photos of my own memories.  These pictures represent some good memories for Brent. 

9 years

It seems like yesterday we were walking blissfully out of the church...

 

 

And I thought I loved you then.
Happy Anniversary, sweety.

Preschool Program

What a crew! 

Ava, Lucas, Jonah.

All smiles.

Receiving his "report card" from Pastor Splett.

A special gift for Daddy.

like mother, like daughter

Molley was babysitting a while back and texted me a picture of Miss H. 

She loves to put on everyone else's shoes.  And obviously she doesn't go far without a pacifier.  Or multiple pacifiers.  Someday she will probably be mortified! 

I started thinking that there was a picture of me about the same age with just a diaper on.  I started digging and found a couple that made me realize just how much Hannah looks like me!  But I didn't find one of me with just my diaper and boots. 

My one year ... officially, with my mom's handwriting. 

Me and my oldest sis, Ann.

Look at that nose, mouth and cheeks!!!